Atomik AM, Liverpool, UK, has partnered with fuel cell and hydrogen production technology developer Cygnus Atratus, Oakerthorpe, to investigate opportunities for energy production using the waste from Atomik’s aluminium Additive Manufacturing process.

Instead of commonly used aluminium alloys, Atomik AM uses pure UK-sourced aluminium powders for its Additive Manufacturing process, enabling superior thermal management possibilities for energy applications. The company’s process is said to deliver precise results for bespoke additively manufactured parts with minimal shrinkage and distortion, even for larger parts.

While Binder Jetting (BJT) AM technology as a whole aims to recycle most of its unused powder, not all of it can be reused, and Atomik is working to find a use for this waste. The project is funded by the Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory, a £12 million partnership between the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Lancaster University. Leading this collaborative project is engineer and PhD student Luke Evans. His PhD focuses on Cygnus Atratus’ alkaline fuel cell and its use for stationary power applications.

“For this project, I will be analysing the waste that is produced from Atomik AM’s printers and attempting to quantify how much energy can be produced, along with some projections,” Evans explained. “Both companies share my values and desire for social change so it’s a pleasure to be leading this project and working across two incredibly talented teams.”

If this stage of the project is successful, additional funding will be sought to continue on to a second stage. This stage would be used to design, build and test a conversion machine, based on Evans’ findings. Nicholas Abson would build the prototype machine in conjunction with Atomik, to work towards creating a minimum viable product.

Kate Black, Atomik AM’s founder & CEO, stated, “It’s great to join forces with a like-minded company! Cygnus Atratus and Atomik AM both see having a positive impact on the world and creating a fairer and more equitable society through our work as non-negotiables. We hope this project is just the start for us paving the way for more sustainable manufacturing processes.”